A New Day

I left my home of 6 1/2 years today........

this is the first home for my wife and I as a couple.....
this was the home our girls were born in.....(literally).......

this was the home I discovered who I was in Christ....

this was the home where I beat down many demons...
this was the home I discovered there were still more awaiting me...


this was the home I understood that "All things were possible"
this was the home I found out there was NOT an endless amount of possibilities

this was the home I fully realized that we are ALL just flawed men....no one gets to bypass this one

this was the home that I found out broken promises were hidden with an over abundant smiling face - and some need to feel like a hero............... or a "saviour"

this was the home where I lost myself and rediscovered him again (a couple of times)

this was the home I made some extrordinary friends for life
this was a home where love dwelt..................

YES.....I'm thankful for having lived and breathed in this home...... this home I left today

Oh......the Joy that awaits my new home!!!!!!!!!!!!

January Blessings

The month of January 2009 has been a time of thanksgiving, reflection
and a renewed wonder in the awesomeness of God.
(and NO....there is nothing in this about the innaugural)

In the christian community, there is so much being debated about God's providence and the proposal that it really doesn't exist....meaning it is only OUR choices that determine OUR fate. I sorta believe in this philosophy because scripture says.... " whatsoever a man sows, he shall also reap..."; however, does this deny the fact that God does look after His children and opens doors that no one else could open? Isn't that what God's providence is?

There are 3 birthdays in January that are very special.

My father, David just celebrated his 62nd birthday on January 9th. He has been the strongest most faithful man I've ever known. Religiosity and all it's minions have tried to destroy my father for over 25 years.....but he is so strong in the Lord. He continues to fight off the powers of hell, even though today it may not be behind a pulpit. He is a faithful provider for his family and works so hard to maintain normalcy in a very sub-normal world. I am so proud of my Dad.

Then there is my grandmother, Jeanetta Turner, who turned 82 on January 27th. Words cannot begin to describe ro capture what my grandparents have meant to me and my family my whole life. They have taught me what diligence, support, gratitude, loveand work-ethic is all about. I will forever try to live up to their example and standard; unfortunately I don't think I will ever get to that level......but it sure is worth trying. Today, Jeanetta is as vibrant as I remember....her secret is hanging with the younger folks.......whatever it is....it works.

Finally, in between these auspisous events, my sister gave birth to her first child, SOPHIA. Born on January 22, 7.4. pounds and 20 inches.....I know my sister Starla and her husband Mike are beyond thrilled, as well as all of us immediate family. It's been a tough couple of years for Starla, but I see how God has been right there for her......it's my proof that angels are watching over us. I don't care what anyone says..........either there are angels watching or God is doing it or some other-dimensional being is doing it.......I choose to believe in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and all His angels

2009 is a transition year for me and my family.....and while its painful.....there is also a wonderful thing that happens when you get to act on your faith. We teach, talk, and preach about faith; but how joyful it is to really embrace the moments in your life where you MUST ACT on your faith.

The beauty is that I am seeing how God's been working it all out long before I knew anything about it........now, come on...........isn't that providence?

Let me be perfectly clear, as of right now, I don't know what, when, where, who, or how anything is going to change in my life.......but I do know that transition is in effect and no matter what takes place, God is making it happen.

I choose joy
I choose love
I choose to be happy
I choose to leave the rest to God.........cast it out, BABY!

Amazing!

I am amazed at the grace of God more and more each day. 

This new year has presented immediate challenges that were not expected.........my family......friends.....church......school..... every aspect of my inner circle is changing.

Where did this come from?

Why all of the sudden?

Why EVERYTHING at the same time?

Well....isn't that the way God is?........Clean sweep...... 

I don't know what will happen in the future but .....MAN.... I'm excited!!

It can only be a good thing...........because when you've placed you're life in God's hands....He will lead you to His appropriate spot.......You've just got to be faithful to Him......Be kind to your brothers and sisters and family of man............Always attend to God's Word........it is the only things that will not return void.

God Bless 2009.......it's gonna be an awesome ride.......

If you haven't started using this...NOW IS THE TIME

Unity is grossly IMPORTANT; Is it IMPOSSIBLE to do?

While I was in Alabama, I was blessed to hear Dr. Pete Sanchez give a devotion. What struck me was a comment about unity. He said (and I paraphrase), "...when you are working towards unity, watch out....cause its ugly. It's messy....dirty, hard, almost impossible"

Now, I didn't say it the right way and may have used some different adjectives...but it was the idea that seeking unity is ugly - because it is difficult to do.

I came home and my first week back presented a 'not-so-easy' week of challenges - All about unity and unifying our worship teams (we have 7).

Strange as it may seem, I didn't think about Dr. Sanchez's words until after the brouhaha was over......but he was so right......The process of unity is UGLY.

The only way you can be and live in unity is laying yourself down for others - and lets face it, our world is not breeding those kind of people anymore.

The art of selfless living - someone needs to write that book.......it will totally bomb at first until the world collapses and then figures out it needs one another.

What's Up With That???

HOLA

I first want to say to my Spanish born, bred, speaking, living, WONDERFUL friends.....
this is not an indictment on you or your culture......
but I just can't believe the (probable) next president of the USA is saying that we need to "make sure our kids can speak Spanish".

Instead of encouraging proper grammar, vocabulary skills, better writing techniques for the language that should be an official language of this country -ENGLISH; They want us to make sure that other countries can take over more of our jobs, economic stability, and over-all esteem.

He might as well have said......"We are not a strong enough nation to endure the well-being of our children without them needing to go to other countries for work"

or maybe have said...... "Our future businesses will be owned and operated by people from other countries who will bring their own languages, hire only people who can speak their languages, and eventually do business with only those who speak their languages"

In the spiritual realm, its the same thing as saying.... "We need to make sure our children learn other religions......open their mind to other faiths and show more tolerance to other people's lack of standards. Instead of relying and promoting and believing in our faith, let's start looking elsewhere"

Now, I am all for studying other languages, traveling to other countries, enjoying other cultures of food, dance, & entertainment. I have taken Spanish and German in college....I have sung in Italian, Latin, German, French, Russian and Spanish....My favorite food is MEXICAN......My favorite country (other than USA) is Austria....
My favorite city (other than NYC) is Hong Kong.

It is a joy to submerge yourself in other environments.....but COME ON!!!! This is a major US political figure speaking at a campaign rally on the topic of immigration......and instead of pumping up your own country's educational vitality by encouraging MORE ENGLISH learning and speaking, you say "we need to make sure our kids speak Spanish"????

What's up with that???

I leave you with 2 thoughts:

1). If all the other countries have official languages, why is it so politically incorrect for us to have the language we have been speaking for over 200 years be our official language.

&

2). Before we make a national policy plea to ensure our children learn other languages, let's teach them how to spell, write, and read English first. We have a society that doesn't know how to even speak well; Universities running rampant with students who've never learned how to write a decent paper; & All ages who don't know how to read


ADIOS

What a Battle!!!

I just witnessed the greatest tennis match I have ever seen.
The legendary John McEnroe said it was the greatest game ever played in the open era.

The King of Grass - Roger Federer
vs.
The King of Clay - Rafael Nadal

They've met the last 3 years in the Wimbledon Final with Federer beating Nadal all 3 times. In fact, Federer has tied Bjorn Borg's record 5 straight Wimbledon Finals and today he was primed to overtake Borg's record. Nadal has won the last 4 French Open Championships and no man since Borg has won the French and Wimbledon back to back; so Nadal was ready to finally beat Federer and match Borg's record.



The drama was set, ready to sweep everyone away.....but nobody could've predicted the majesty and sheer exuberance these two men displayed today.

Nadal won the first 2 sets 6 -4......it seemed Federer was down;
but he came back in a 3rd set tiebreaker........then a 4th set tiebreaker.....
now it was all even.......two rain delays.....
4 hrs of playing and now into the 5th and final set..............
it was even up to 7 - 8 in Nadal's favor......
Finally, with the day turning into night.........after the longest championship match ever played, NADAL overtook the King and became the rightful champion.

It was so amazing....and I was rooting for Federer and still loved it....that's how amazing it was.


If a measly little tennis match can give me these kind of emotions; think about how that last Battle of Armageddon is going to be....... i mean, really.........all the drama, spectacle, pain, heartbreak, excitement, victory.............and we know who's already going to win it, but it will be great.


This makes me want to watch the final battle of Lord of the Rings - Return of the King......that was an awesome battle put on film.

I wonder who's gonna film the Battle of Armageddon?......and are we gonna watch the replays over and over in heaven......all sitting up there admiring the warrior skills of each other?
Actually we'll be in the NEW EARTH....so we'll have new, cool plasma screens all over the place.

I can't wait......even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly

I Have Seen The Future

Ok folks.....scary as it may be....O think I have seen what awaits for the future cuisine world.

I first saw it on FOX or MSNBC..or maybe it was CNN.....anyway, there was an interview I saw and later did a little bit of research.

The Entomological Cuisine

or otherwise known as
EATING BUGS

Now, come on.....I have watched every Survivor season....I enjoy the Discovery channel... I have been in third world countries......This cannot be the future!!!

However much I pray, something in me says that through the Apocalypse Era (happening real soon-btw) the insects will become a major source of food intake.

Evidently, it has the greatest amount of protein with low carbs (although some are extremely fatty). If you dare to watch this National Geographic special, it shows a man who has a restaurant in CALIFORNIA serving entomological food (INSECTS!)



Fascinating!!
I'm interested if anyone reading this blog has eaten insects (legitimately)....no one needs to comment on how you hung your head out of a speeding car window and got a bug in your mouth...I mean, WE'VE ALL DONE THAT!..........YUCK!!!!!

Here is a website from the University of Kentucky - Department of Agriculture. This MOST disturbing section is in Discussion NO. 3....it lists what bugs are in our PRESENT DAY...NORMAL BUYING....Food Items!!!!!!!!

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/bugfood/bugfood2.htm

Get your Entomology Cookbooks Folks............times are a-changin'

Where've I Been??

Ok...so I know I should receive horrible lashings because of my failure to post for the last few weeks......NO EXCUSES.......I just haven't done it.

Yes, we could blame it on being busy, family, work, scandals, gas prices, meat shortages, the Tomato recall, the Midwest Floods, depression over Obama's inevitable election victory, the Midwest Tornadoes, Too many deaths in the past few weeks, New weight loss program, Guests to tend to, Onstart of shingles, Adjusting to Organic Living, Transmission issues on the car, People saying one thing and doing another, Church splits, or even having fun with my Jonas Brothers/ Zac Efron looking hairdo.....................

...................But we won't do that.

Suffice it to say, I have missed my blogging and I am back
(at least for a couple of weeks - then, who knows what will happen)

This clip was sent to me by one of my choir members, Jeff. He said he was surfin' through some of the sites I have listed to your right and found this Louie Giglio snippet. Some of you might have already seen this
At first I didn't know where it was going....thank the Lord I stayed and watched the rest.
VERY POWERFUL!!!

Huh? Huh? Cool , eh?
Let me know what you thought

Major Week of Sadness

I took the fam away the last two days for some wonderful time together. Away from computer, blogs, and even phone (although the latter was not by choice....it just so happens I jumped into the swimming pool with my cell phone in my pocket...yes it died)......

So many things happened the last few days:

• Little David Archuleta lost......to my surprise and, honestly, joy. I thought the little teeny boppers were gonna rule the phone and text lines voting for the tyke........but D.C. won out.
  

• John McCain rejected both John Hagee and Rod Parsley's endorsements.......... the scary thing about this for me is not only how politicians are so fickle when it comes to "who" is supporting them and what those endorsers can bring (as far as votes); but I am seeing how the church is hiding behind the political correctness that is destroying the whole belief system......I mean all Christians (or those who live by the Word of God) should believe what Hagee and Parsley are preaching but where are the Joel Osteens and Rick Warrens..........they are hiding folks.....or just trying to stay out of the fray.... but isn't that the same thing?

• Dottie Rambo's funeral services were this week. It sounds like it was an incredible service. You can go to this website for pictures and an Order of Service. http://www.gospelmusicupdate.com/news2007/dottietn.shtm

• And, finally, Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old adoptive child, Maria's funeral services were held today. In case you hadn't heard, Maria was accidentally struck by an SUV one of her brothers were driving this week. She died at the hospital later.
  

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/TUNEIN/805230396/1838/TUNEIN03

I can't imagine this happening.....yet it does everyday.
Life is so precious and so fleeting.

How will we live it the fullest and most promising?

Battle of the Davids

David is my favorite name.

Maybe its because:

• my dad's name is David;
• my middle name is David;
  
• if God blesses Angie and I with a boy - his name will be David Tyler

or:

• Except for Jesus, King David is my favorite figure in the Bible
  
• My college piano teacher's name was David
• Michaelangelo's DAVID is the greatest human figure sculpture ever made

or maybe its because:

• the name conjures up "underdog" and "king" all at the same time
• the name means "beloved"
• it simply looks symmetric with its two "d's" next to a vowel, with a spread "v" in the middle

Whatever it is, I love the name.

Tonight marks the first "Battle of the Davids" that I know of......and its on American Idol.

I believe David Archuleta will win due to his unbelievable(and extremely young) fan base. David Cook is more well-seasoned and is far more original; however, I feel if Cook were to win, it would hinder him in sales and acclaim.

David Cook is labeled a "rocker", but if he wins Idol, he will not be taken as serious in the Rock world. The lesson learned by DAUGHTREY (former Idol contestant who placed 4th in 2006) is you don't have to win ( and, in fact maybe better you don't win) to be a major success. Daughtry is the highest selling rock act today...with over 4 million CD's sold to date.

No matter what, both David's will be a major success and I will enjoy seeing what they do next.

Never Give Up!!!!

Another production is over and there's a tremendous amount of relief in my spirit and body.

The shows were great; well performed and well received. I believe it was produced the best of any of the 15 productions we've done in the last 5 years. The set, sound, lights, and camera work was the best its ever been. The acting was very good and the singing was right on point. The reviews from all who attended were very good. A lot of lives were changed, renewed, touched and inspired.

You might assume that this is expected and it just happens.....But there's always an amazing moment in any production that never fails to appear - the moment I quit.

It never fails that at some moment in the 3 months of preparation of a major production, I want to quit (or sometimes I do quit just to start up again). This can run the gambit of casting issues, band issues, costume issues, set design issues, choir issues, sound issues, lighting issues, budget issues, personality issues.....you name it

I guess, in my mind, I don't think its worth it. Nothing is worth this or, maybe, I'm not the one who should be doing this. The hardest part is needing an instant answer for the hundreds of questions that hit me from all departments at the same time; the decisions that need to be made in a split second; the pain of seeing the clock run out and the rehearsals being quickly dissolved. Frustration sets in after all the rehearsals leading up to the performances because, my priorities are not being fulfilled.......I haven't figured out a way to be realistic with my expectations for the rehearsals.....setting me up for a big disappointment at the end of the night.

So really, I'm setting myself up to fail; thus getting more stressed and eventually quitting.

It seems that the 'stress' begins to manifest into my body. In the last year, I started to get hives on my arms and legs the week of the productions.. ..strange. I have no warning that these are coming; they just appear. In my mind, I'm not that stressed, but my body tells me different.
I JUST WANT TO QUIT!!!!!!!!!

The Hope:
One of the best things about me is my ability to visualize the future. I can work, prepare, and live in projects now, because I KNOW what the final outcome will be. I can see faces and hear stories years before they happen. In a way, I believe it is a sub-category of a prophetic gift. Certainly, not in the conventional sense of "gift of prophecy"; but it is true that, in some situations, I have seen the END RESULTS long before I even have BEGUN the writing process....before it even hits the paper.

I say all this because when I allow the Enemy to get into my head (first mistake); when I see failure and hurt and pain and it makes me lose it or give up - God reminds me of the 'original' vision. He gives me another dose of vision of what WILL happen at the end of the project. I see the faces and hear the stories. It makes me start again, with a fresh approach. Failure is not an option because I KNOW the end result is good... I know, it sounds weird, But this is my passage right now.

I guess I want to just encourage you; whatever you are facing never give up.....there IS AN END RESULT THAT IS GOOD. Ask God to help you visualize the end of the journey......its okay to ask questions and work out the problems - just don't give up; don't quit. Walk through those fiend walls, because your joy awaits on the other side.

http://presenter.streamingfaith.com/links/WinningInLife/The_Exchange.htm

Another One Bites the Dust

Another preacher in a Sex Scandal......who would've guessed?

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/051708dnmetministerarrest.107c9d887.html




I've been thrilled to have ministered at Prestonwood ( lovingly called the church that Mary Kay built). Its not the first scandal that has rocked this mega-church and it probably won't be the last. They have and WILL ENDURE.

Their music program is second to none......they can do ANYTHING........I've always been impressed by this church

Sorry they are going through this tough time.

Stress is not good

So the week of any opening is stressful....but I thought this years opening of my musical The EXCHANGE, would not be as hard as its been............Its funny that producing a piece of work about "renewing your mind" and "turning everything over to God" is causing me to react the opposite of the message.

It will all be okay.....but there are some moments in this process that really make you want to lose it.

I was at one of those moments tonight. It seemed nothing was going right. My actors were not feeling it, My singers were not in the mood, My band was eating Chinese food in the band pit, I was losing the clock....time running out...I still hadn't covered half of what I needed to get done.....my musicians, singers, and actors were trying their best; however, just losing focus...........focus is desperately needed in these moments....... I could feel my blood start to boil. I mean...what do you do when you start to feel like your gonna lose it in front of 100 people on a microphone.........


It was just at that time my keyboard player walked around my keyboard and accidently bumped into my mic stand......the microphone stand swung out causing the microphone to bash into my teeth

OOOUUUCCCHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

But the show must go on and I couldn't scream into the microphone........what was even greater is the pain in my mouth made me forget how stressed I was about the musical

We can not let stress ruin a moment in our lives.
Who cares if the musical isn't the best?
......THE PROBLEM is....

I DO



As Dr. T always says....... "MAY GOD HELP US"

And now for another side of PARENTHOOD...

STAY OUT OF YOUR KIDS WAY...............Mr. Archuleta






To add to the well-qualified "Dads of the Year" like Macaulay Culkin's father, Lindsey Lohan's father, and Kevin Federline... Jeff Archuleta, father of American Idol shoo-in winner David, is going down the tubes as a tyrant dad or STAGE DAD in the biz.

A stage dad is one who lives their own dream of fame and stardom through their kids...until it destroys them both.
Most stage dads become managers and executives of the child's finances and, undoubtedly, the millions of dollars get tied up in bad deals
Traditionally, stage moms have had all the bad press. One of the all-time greatest written musicals was a story about the worst kind of stage mom, GYPSY

http://www.gypsybroadway.com/



Anyways, read these articles......poor little David, poor 17-year old Mormon from Utah with a voice of gold and a dad of greed............David, stick to it...your dad no longer can be around you for the next couple of weeks.....you will do well......you will succeed.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90INQO80&show_article=1


http://guanabee.com/2008/03/portrait-of-a-stage-dad-jeff-a.php

The Title Picture - Honeymoon and Cars

Some of you have asked about the beautiful picture on my opening title page. I'm happy to inform you this was a photo I took on my honeymoon to the Grand Cayman Islands.

That's right......I took this shot on my little camera or maybe it was my wife's camera.... All I know is it was taken in Dec. '03

Okay...... the story of the honeymoon is a good one...and I guess this is as good as anytime to tell about it.

First of all, Angie and I got married on March 8, 2003 in Franklin, Tenn. We had a couple of days in Nashville and then moved to Chicago for our new assignment at Family Harvest Church. The honeymoon was gonna have to wait.

In August, we learned we were gonna have a baby......SHOCK!!!!!
We needed the honeymoon before the baby came......you know the last-vacation-for-a-while- kind-of-thing.

We went to the Caymans in December thanks to Dad who got us a great deal (Thanks Dad). Angie was 5 months pregnant

It was joyous and wonderful.....we loved everything about it......



.............EXCEPT our rental car.

So, yes, I know I'm a big guy...but REALLY....do they have to make cars so small.

Getting inside this vehicle was an experience.......HILARIOUS!!!




Oh well, the next to last day I broke a tooth on some coconut shrimp and Angie began to have EXTREME Stomach flu symptoms - vomiting all over the beach during our Sunrise Excursion.

It was definitely time to go home....but one day
we will get back there......Gorgeous Place

Adalyn Elayne is 4 years old

4 years ago......the greatest miracle in my life happened; My firstborn Miss Adalyn Elayne Wiggins entered this world.

The birth was joyful, fun, unexpected, even hilarious......a little bit of a Farelly Brother's movie and a National Geographic / Discovery Channel episode.


The funny thing is that is the way Addy lives her life...... joyful, unexpected and a little adventuresome.

Happy Birthday Princess ADDY....... you will always be my light

Joy in the Journey

So tonight is my weekly choir rehearsal and I gotta tell you, I love the rehearsal process. No matter what I am working on, the rehearsals show you what is inside of you and (if you are in charge of a group) your people........... How far do you want to go?......... How good do you really want to be?........... All of it, you find in the rehearsal process.

The performance is the reward.....but the rehearsal builds you,
molds you, creates you.

Never dismiss the times you gotta practice....I mean, greatness is not gonna come by osmosis. God is not gonna feel sorry for you and just let you be a success without the sowing. Its against His nature. Sure, He gives special blessings on some.....but those people still MUST work for it.

At the same time, enjoy YOUR JOURNEY.........don't compare yourself or your walk with anyone else's. You are finding out things about yourself which will create the person/ performer/teacher you will become.

No matter your age, accomplishments, experience, there is Joy in the Journey to be found ...........embrace it